My name is John N Nganga and an agriculturalist by profession. I got saved just before graduating and joined the civil service as an agricultural officer back in 1986. I have loved influencing people I interact with agricultural skills and the gospel truth that has kept me going never regretting the decision I made. I have always loved studying the bible digging into the enormous richness which has seen me subscribing to several links overtime.
My link with AE PTC came like a fruit falling into the hands of a hungry loner in search of a new experience at a time when normal fellowships and interaction had been interrupted with no idea when they would resume. A Whatsapp post in our church platform was like an answer to my prayers desiring to keep ‘my status followers’ with constant gospel truth with capability of transforming thoughts and actions in the lives of the current and future followers. I had realized that a number of my phone contacts were getting nourishment through my posts. It became my prayer item for constant insight and inspirations. My AE PTC online study has provided more than what I expected. To me I have found a deeper understanding of the greatness of the plans God has for me and all mankind. I am drawing from this experience to respond to issues and questions from my network friends. I am more sensitive to all my posts and forwards lest I be just reinforcing my own thoughts rather than God’s plans. I cannot have enough of this study and do find myself deep into the night or even up very early to continue with my studies. It has enriched my normal quiet times. While attempting the quizzes and exams I take them as the opportunity to expand my capacity to absorb the truth already exposed.
How can I express my gratitude if not by pursuing it as long as God enables and trusting God to use the same to make many more within my reach to love this God more than before? God bless the organizers and sponsors of the course from Australia for this great opportunity. It is not in vain. It is a testimony that not everything is lockable the Son of man indeed has broken every barrier that’s keeps people away from the joy in Christ. Corona has not locked the gospel truth another truth revealed.
“The PTC program has brought much enlightenment and hope to my life. When the outside world is full of restrictions and fear, the program has enabled me to remain safe, strong and faithful in the Lord. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to further my communion with the Lord.
I must also congratulate the organizers for their initiative to teach the gospel and in an easy way to understand format and organization.
The program has also enabled me to observe the recommended measures in combating COVID-19, by providing an escape from groups and into to personal study of the word.
I must also recognize the smooth organization and operation of the lessons in such a way that builds on previously learnt lessons. I also appreciate the simple language used by the organizers.
With this knowledge am equipped for ministry in my preaching either inside the church or out.
May I take this opportunity to thank the AEE Kenya and the Moore Theological College for working together to see us equipped for the easier spread of gospel. God bless.”
“I have in the recent past had a zeal for God’s word and started doing CBR (Continuous Bible Reading) and I must say the journey has been full of God’s presence.
During this Pandemic, there has been a lot of free time on my hands and I was just asking and praying that God brings something exciting, worthwhile and of course one that would bring glory and honor to God.
PTC is God sent, not only have I been able to understand much more of what I study in my Bible, but also grown in every aspect.
Of course, like Paul puts it, “God facilitates the Growth”.
One of the aspects is on how I view the series of outcomes in the Bible and how they all blend with the typology of Jesus at the end of it all. Indeed, Jesus Christ is the pivot and anchor of the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives.
I believe that the knowledge I have acquired will help more in ministering to my fellow youth with deep understanding of the word and prowess.
I thank God for PTC and the entire fraternity for bringing this to me/us. It’s really a life changer. Blessings.’’
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
A Hunger for the Word
What struck me the first time I visited Kigali to teach PTC in 2015 was the hunger of the students for God. In a country where many crave physical nourishment, I saw a deeper hunger – a voracious appetite for learning about God’s word, and delight at the feast of ideas laid out in the training material provided by Moore Theological College.
Our students come from diverse backgrounds: pastors, evangelists, church planters, university campus workers and aid workers; some with tertiary educations and others with much less formal education; some with excellent English, but most working in an English-speaking ministry setting for the first time. Regardless of circumstances, these students each relish the opportunity to be further equipped to handle the Bible correctly.
As a former school teacher, my favourite element of class time is the discussion around Bible ideas. Given the non-denominational setting of our classes in the African Evangelistic Enterprise Rwanda headquarters, we enjoy a rich diversity of churchmanship and theological perspective. Our free-flowing conversation, discussion and theological reflection is marked by a godly humility from men and women who understand the weight of their calling. Where differences occur, the cohort is learning to go to the Bible to assess the validity of individual preferences and practices, rather than assuming them as concrete principles.
Whenever we spend time outside of our normal setting, our eyes are opened to new perspectives and experiences.
I feel deeply blessed by my time in Rwanda, and my learning and fellowship with so many gospel-hearted brothers and sisters. God has taught me about the spiritual richness of his people in other parts of the world, the way other Christians enjoy the blessings our Father bestows, and their fervour to follow Jesus. I often observe a hunger for God that is missing in my own country where bellies are always full.
Perhaps we all need reminding to hunger and thirst for what is most important in this life…
Having ministered at Anglican Churches in Sydney since 2012, Dan Bidwell is now the Senior Pastor at Yountville Community Church in California’s Napa Valley. He was involved as a visiting PTC lecturer in Rwanda from 2015-2018, and is currently developing a partnership with IFES and GBU Rwanda to enable the theological training of university campus workers.
